Printing machine



y 1941. G. H. HIGGINS ETAL 2,250,534

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNvEMpRs W ZM 7' ATTONEY y 1941 G. H. HIGGINS EIAL 2,250,534

PRINTINQ MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQRS.

Conny/{6" 7* ATTO NEY 4 Patented July 29, 1941 PRINTING MACHINE Gilbert H. Higgins. Mountain Lakes, N. J., and

Walter S. Edwards, New Haven, Conn., assignors to R. Hoe & 00., Inc., New York, N. Y., a

corporation of New York Application February 19, 1938, Serial No. 191,352

19 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in printing machines and more particularly to an imprinting mechanism for a printing machine whereby a form for printing a heading or other imprinted matter may be positioned for printing on a running web a determined number of times corresponding to the desired number of products requiring such imprinting, and then another form may be automatically positioned to be printed, without stopping the printing machine, in which the device is incorporated.

An imprinting mechanism is particularly useful in printing different headings on separate batches of products, the body of each of which is the same but which require different headings. For instance, the rotogravure sections of different newspapers may all be printed alike except for the headings, and withthe device of this invention a heading on the front sheet of the product may be printed for one newspaper, and when the desired number of sections has been printed, another heading will be automatically positioned for printing for another newspaper, without stopping the press. useful for printing advertising pamphlets, fashion sheets, and the like, where the dealers name and address is imprinted, and the same advertising matter is to be used by several dealers.

One object of this invention is to provide an imprinting mechanism adapted to perform the above stated functions in cooperation with a printing machine.

Another object is to provide in an imprinting mechanism for printing headings on a running web, means to selectively dispose each of a plurality of printing forms for different headings, in printing position.

A further object is to provide in an imprint ing mechanism having means to dispose printing forms for different headings selectively in printing position, mechanism to control the operation of this means to cause the change-over from one heading to another without stopping the printing machine with which the device cooperates.

A still further object is to provide means to control an imprinting mechanism of the above nature and which is adapted to time its operation in accordance with the number of products desired.

Itis also an object of this invention to provide an imprinting mechanism of generally improved construction, whereby the same will be simple, durable and inexpensive in construction, as well The device is also as convenient, practical, serviceable and efficient in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds,

the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates a printing machine in which an imprinting mechanism embodying the principles and features of this invention has been incorporated;

Figure 2 is an enlarged face view of the imprinting mechanism looking in the direction of arrow 2 in Figure 1, but omitting for the sake of clearness, the inking mechanism associated and carried with the imprinting cylinder;

Figure 3 is a section on line 34-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detail end view of a control cam;

Figure 5 is a face view of a product counting and control mechanism;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken through the mechanism shown in Figure 5, and generally along line 6-6 of that figure;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 88 of Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional View looking in the direction of arrow 9 in Figure 7; and

Figure 10 is an electric circuit diagram of the operating controls.

The printing machine illustrated in Figure 1 is adapted to print upon a web running into the machine from a web roll I2, first on one side of the web by means of a first printing unit I3, then by means of rollers I5 and Hi, to feed and guide the Web II from the unit Hi to a second printing unit M to have it printed on the other side, and then, by means of rollers l1 and IE, to feed it between cooperating cylinders l9 and 2| of the imprinting mechanism of this invention. From the cylinders I9 and 2|, the

printed and imprinted web is then guided by rollers 22 and 23 into position to be associated with other webs, which are then folded in a folding mechanism 24.

The imprinting mechanism of this invention includes the impression cylinder l9 and the form cylinder 2| with suitable inking mechanism including rollers 25 associated and carried with the form cylinder 2| in the usual manner. Herein, the form or imprinting cylinder 2| is shown in Figure 2 as being provided with a plurality of annular printing faces 26, each being capable of printing a different heading upon the web as it is fed between the cylinders I9 and 2|, in cooperation with an annular impression pad 27 on the cylinder H). In Figures 2 and 3, seven heading printing faces 26 are shown formed on one plate 23 on the cylinder 2!, and seven more are indicated as being formed on another plate 29 thereon and an impression pad 27 is provided on each side of the cylinder l9 in position to cooperate with the selected heading face, for imprinting on products which are not collected. By omitting a section of the impression pad 27 on the cylinder :9 and its cooperating plate 28 or 29 on the cylinder 2|, the mechanism would be adapted to imprint on prodcts that are to be collected.

As shown in Figure 2, only one heading printing face 25 will cooperate with the impression pad 2'? at a time and this same heading will continue to be printed until the cylinder 2| is moved axially relatively to the cylinder IS an amount equal to the distance from the center of one printing face 25 to the center of the adjacent one. While the drawings illustrate only one cylinder 2i as cooperating with the cylinder [9 to imprint a heading on the web portion constituting one sheet of a product, it will be under stood that one or more additional cylinders 2| may be provided for portions of the web running over other portions of the cylinder i9 if it is desired to print headings thereon.

As the cylinder 2| is adapted to print only relatively narrow headings, it will be long enough to carry only the desired number of headings, either more or less than the seven shown, and will consequently be considerably shorter than the cylinder it. In order to enable the cylinder 2i to be moved axially to position each heading printing face 25 either selectively or in sequence, as desired, it is mounted upon a shaft 3! which extends between the usual machine side frames, indicated at in Figure l, of the printing machine. The cylinder ii is keyed to the shaft 3| in such a manner as to be rotatable therewith while being freely slidable therealong. The shaft 3i and the shaft of the cylinder l9 are rotated in unison by being driven from a shaft 33 suitably driven from the source of power for the printing machine by the usual gearing as indicated at 34 in Figure 1. It will be understood that the inking mechanism, including the inking rollers 25 will be carried along the shaft 31 with the cylinder 2i, these being associated, if desired, as shown in patent to Halliweil No. 1,549,869, issued August 18, 1925.

The means to axially move the cylinder 2| along its shaft 3! to dispose the selected heading printing face 25 in line with the cooperating impression pad 2'! on the cylinder l3, includes an electric motor 35, Figures 3 and 10, which through a worm 93 on the motor shaft and a worm wheel 3? is adapted to rotate a threaded shaft 38, also extending between the usual machine side frames and to an end of which the worm wheel 31 is keyed, The pitch of the threads on the shaft 38 is preferably made equal to the spacing between the centers of the printing faces 26 so that one revolution of the shaft 38, by the motor 35, will advance the cylinder 2i to dispose the next heading printing face in printing position.

The cylinder 2! is connected to the shaft 38 to be axially moved thereby, by an internally threaded cylindrical sleeve 39 mounted on the shaft 38,

and an arm 4| adapted to be clamped to the sleeve 39 by a split sleeve 42 formed thereon and disposed between spaced apart collars 43 and 44 on the sleeve 39. The arm 4| is bifurcated to embrace a reduced hub portion 45 extending from one end of the cylinder 2|. By the above structure, the cylinder 2| may be axially adjusted to align the faces 26 with the pad 2?, by first unclamping the split clamp sleeve 42 from the sleeve 39 by loosening the clamp screws 49, and then turning the sleeve 39 on its shaft 38 by means of wrench holes 41.

In addition to the operation of the motor 35 to properly dispose a face 25 relatively to the pad 27, it is desirable to control the operation of the imprinting unit, or cylinders l9 and 2|, in accordance with the number of copies or prodcts desired, having each particular heading. Herein is shown cooperating mechanism, including electrical controls for the motor 35, whereby the operation of the cylinders l9 and 2|, in respect to the number of a particular heading printed thereby, and the operation of the motor 35 to change the heading by axially moving the cylinder 2|, may be timed and controlled.

Mechanism for counting the number of headings printed by the cylinders 19 and 2| and for timing the operation of the motor 35 to move the cylinder 2| is depicted in Figures 4 to 9 inelusive, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6, is provided with a dial with a cooperating index finger that may be manually set at the numeral corresponding with the number of copies on which the heading in printing position is to be printed. As the printing machine runs, the index moves backward toward the zero point, its position during the run always indicating the additional copies required to complete the desired number.

The counting mechanism includes an arm 52 pivoted on a pin 53 supported on a partition plate 54 secured by screws 55 within a casing 56. The casing 53 is adapted to be secured upon a machine frame portion 51, preferably adjacent the folding mechanism 24 by screws 58 (Figures 1 and 5). The arm 52 is adapted to engage a trip arm pivotally mounted on a shaft 6| supported on the partition plate 54, and which actuates an electric switch actuating arm 62, also pivotaily mounted on the shaft 84. The arm 62 is adapted to engage the operating lever arm 63 of a spring opened switch 64, mounted on the machine frame member 57 adjacent the casing 56. The trip arm 59 is connected to the shaft 6| for slight lost rotative movement relatively thereto by a pin 65 in the shaft 6| cooperating with the arm 59 in a recess 66, The arm 59 is maintained against the pin by a spring 61 coiled about the shaft 5i and having its ends secured respectively to the arms 59 and 62.

A spring 68 is connected to a post 69 supported on the plate 54 and a post ll on the arm 62, to urge the arm 62 against a stop 72 to permit the lever arm of the switch 64 to be moved by its spring into open position. The free end of the arm 59 is adapted to lie in the path of swinging movement of the free end of the arm 52 to be engaged thereby when it is swung in one direction to operate the lever arm 63 of the switch 64 to close it, and then to be released, after a short interval, to permit the switch 64 to open.

Another arm 13, also pivoted upon the pin 53, and connected through a hub or sleeve 14 to the arm 52 to swing the same, has a roller 15 mounted upon its free end 76. A spring 71 connected to and extending from the arm 52 to the post 69, secured to the plate 54, is tensioned to constantly urge the arm 52 into switch actuating or closingposition, and the roller I against a cam 19 mounted upon a shaft I9 extending between and journaled .in a casing cover plate 8| and the plate 54. The cam I8 is shown formed on one end of a sleeve 82 secured to the shaft I9 by a pin 83. Another cam 84 is shown formed on the other end of the sleeve 82. The shaft 19 is extended beyond the cover plate BI and through a glass lens 85 and has a manipulating knob 86 secured thereto by a pin 81. Arrangement is herein shown whereby rotation of the shaft I9 by the knob '86 clockwise, as shown in Figure 7 will, by means of the cam 84, rock the arm I3 to swing the arm 52 against the tension of the spring IT, to set it in position to actuate the arm 63 of the switch 64, to close the same and through it the circuit in which this switch is located.

The means whereby the above setting of the arm 52 in switch actuating position is accomplished by the cam 84 is herein shown as including an arm 88 formed on and extending from the sleeve 14 and having a roller 89 upon its end adapted to ride on the cam 84. The cam 84 is provided with a camming lug 9I which, when the cam is rotated as above referred to, through the arm 88'rotates the sleeve I4 and with it the arms 52 and I3 into the dotted position shown in Figure '7. As herein shown it is necessary to slide the shaft I9 axially to the left as shown by dotted lines in Figure 6 to position the cam 84 in respect to the arm 88, so that the roller 89 will be disposed in the rotative path of the lug 9I when the cam is rotated by the knob 86 through the shaft I9. Such axial movement of the shaft 19 also moves the cam I8 in respect to the arm I3 so that the roller I5 is disposed out of the path of the periphery of this cam and whereby the arm 13 may be swung into the dotted position above referred to. After the shaft I9 has been rotated to move the lug 9| past the roller 89 the shaft may be moved axially, to the right in Figure 6, whereupon the roller I5 on the arm I3 will be retained in set position as shown by the above referred to dotted lines in Figure '7. While the roller I5 is disposed and riding on the periphery 92 of the cam I8, the shaft I9 may be rotated counter-clockwise, as shown in Figure 7, and as soon as the roller 15 drops into a. cut-out 93 provided in the cam I8, the arms 52 and I3 will swing into the position shown in full lines in Figure 7 and the switch 64 will be momentarily closed. To retard this action and hold the switch 64 closed a short interval of time, a step 94 is provided in the cut-out 93 which step 94 is engaged by the roller I5 as it enters the cut-out. This step 94 acts to temporarily cause the arms 52 and 13 to pause in their swinging movement and through them to hold the switch 64in closed position a short interval of time. Continued rotation of the shaft I9 counter-clockwise after the roller I5 has dropped into the cut-out 93 is permitted by providing a slot 95 in the cam I8. Holding the switch 64 closed for a determined interval of time as above described maintains the motor 35 running during this interval, to axially move the cylinder 2I in respect to the cylinder I9 to position another printing face 26 in printing relation with the pad 21.

The casing 56 is provided with a dial face 96 having suitable indicia 91 thereon corresponding to the maximum number of copies, or products which may be printed from one heading. A pointer 98 secured to the knob 86 swings over the face 96 and cooperates with the indicia 91, to indicate the setting of the switch actuating arm 52 by the cam lug 9I and the position of the roller I5 relatively to the cut-out 93 inthe cam I8. Obviously, rotation of the sha'ft19 counterclockwise will cause the cam 18 and the roller I5 to release the arm 52 as above described, and therefore, by rotating the shaft I9 in proportion to the number of products being imprinted, the arm 52 may be controlled to effect the closing of an electric circuit by the switch 64, to start the motor 35 and axially slide the cylinder 2I to dispose another face 26 in printing position, after the desired number of product headings have been printed by the previously positioned face. In view of this, the pointer 98 may be set at an indicia mark 91 corresponding to the number of products desired imprinted, before the arm 52 actuates the switch 64 to close it.

As herein shown, two rows of indicia marks 91 are provided, the outer row indicating the number of products printed, when the sheets constituting the same are not collected, and the inner row indicating the number of products when the sheets are collected before folding them. It will be understood that when printing uncollected products, it is the usual practice to print from forms that extend substantially half-way around the printing cylinder and duplicate forms are used, thus printing two identical products during each cylinder revolution. With such an arrangement, two pads 21 will be employed and duplicate printing faces 26 will be positioned on opposite sides of the cylinder 2I. For collected products, the printing forms likewise extend substantially half-way around the cylinder, but the two forms are different, one printing one portion of the product, and the other printing another portion which is collected and folded with the first portion to form a complete product. For this arrangement, a heading is usually printed on only one of each pair of sheets and a single pad 21 and a single face 26 will be employed. When two pads 21 are used, the inner row of indicia marks 91 are observed and when only one pad 21 is used, the outer row is observed.

The shaft 19 obviously must be slowly rotated in a counter-clockwise direction (see Figure '7), to permit the pointer 98 to make substantially one revolution while a desired number of products is being printed, for instance 200,000. Herein, the shaft 19 is rotated by a gear 99, secured to the shaft I9 by a pin I9I so that the gear 99 will be unmeshed from aigear I02 when the knob 86 is manipulated by pulling it outwardly to reset the mechanism. The gear 99 is driven by the last gear I02 of a series of reduction gears I93 and pinions I04 arranged in the well known manner of the common rotation counters, such as those of the .Veeder type, the first one I of the. series of gears I63 being drivingly connected to a gear I86 secured to the end I81 of a shaft I08 extending beyond the casin end plate I09.

The shaft I9, with the gear 99, the sleeve 82 carrying the cams I8 and 84, and the knob 86 is constantly urged to the right as shown in Figure 6 by a spring III coiled about the shaft I9 and reacting between the hub II2 of the gear 99 and the interior surface ,of a bearing boss II3 provided on the casing cover 8|. The outer end II4 of the shaft I88 is drivingly connected to the drive of the printing machine by a magnetic clutch H5, whereby it will be driven in synchronism with the cylinders I9 and 2I. The magnetic clutch H5 is shown connected in parallel with the circuit of the printing machine operating motor I I5 (see Figure 6), which motor H6 constitutes a means to effect the producing speed of the machine. As shown in Figur 6, the motor H6 is the main full speed machine driving motor, while another motor H1 is the slow speed driving motor which is used only when starting the machine and before actual production, and also for preparing the machine for production. Herein, the magnetic clutch H5 is energized only when the motor I I 6 is placed in operation to operate the machine in the actual production of products. It will be understood that the clutch H5 may be arranged to be actuated by any other product controlling means so that an actual count of, and control by, the products being delivered will be obtained. By means of a clutch arrangement, constituted by the gear 99 and the gear I82, the shaft I9 may be pulled axially by the knob 86 to disconnect the driven gears I03 therefrom, when it is desired to set the mechanism for the operation of counting the products to be imprinted and of controlling the electric circuit including the switch 64 as above described.

Another switch H8 (see Figures 4 and 10) is mounted on a machine frame adjacent to one end of the threaded shaft 38 in position to have its operating arm H9 affected by a timing disc I2I secured on one end of the shaft 38. The switch operating arm H9 is provided with a roller I22 adapted to drop into a notch I23 formed in the periphery of the disc I2 I, when a face 26 is disposed in printing position in respect to the pad 2'! by the axial movement of the cylinder 2I by the motor 35.

Referring now to the electric circuit diagram shown in Figure 10, the switch 64 and the switch H8 are shown in control of the operation of the motor 35, so as to cause it to be operated to axially move the cylinder 2| with respect to the cylinder I9 and position another printing face 2B in cooperating relation with the pad 21 on the cylinder I9, after the desired number of headings have been imprinted by the face 25 then in operating position, and then to stop the motor. As herein shown, the motor is connected by a conductor I24 to one hinge clip of a double throw switch I25 and by a conductor I26 to the other hinge clip of th switch I25, which is normally closed in the up position. One upper jaw clip of the switch I25 is connected by a conductor I21 to the line wire L2 and the corresponding upper jaw clip is connected by a conductor I28 to a switch I29 operated by a solenoid I3I. The other terminal of the switch I29 is connected by a conductor I32 to the line wire LI. The solenoid I3I is connected by a conductor I33 to the line wire L2 and by a conductor I34 to one terminal of the switch 64. The other terminal of the switch 64 is connected by a conductor I35 to the line wire LI, whereby closing of the switch 64 will start the motor 35 to axially move the cylinder 2| by energizing the solenoid I 3I to close the switch I29. The switch 64 is maintained closed as hereinbefore described to insure sufficiently long operation of the motor 35 to rotate the timing cam I2I and cause the switch I I8 to close.

One terminal of the switch H8 is connected by a conductor I38 to the line wire L2, and the other by a conductor I31 to one terminal of a solenoid I38, the other terminal of which 15 connected to the line wire LI by a conductor I39. The solenoid I38 actuates a switch I4I which has one of its terminals connected by a conductor I42 to the line wire LI and the other by a conductor I43 to the solenoid I3I. A signal lamp or bell I44 is connected by conductors I45 and I48 in parallel with the motor 35, so as to indicate when the latter is energized and in operation to move the cylinder 2I. It will be understood by those versed in the art that if desired arrangements can be made to maintain the signal light energized after the cylinder moving operation has been completed to show the attendant that the mechanism has not been reset.

As shown in Figure 10, the switches 64 and H8 are normally open and therefore th motor circuit is normally open, due to the solenoid I3I being de-energized. This condition exists when the counting and control mechanism is set for a desired number of products and the printing cylinders l9 and 2I are in operation and printing. At the completion of the desired number of imprints, the roller I5 on the arm I3 drops into the cut-out 93 and the switch 64 is momentarily closed to complete the circuit to the solenoid I3I, which in turn closes the switch I29 to start the motor 35 to move the cylinder 2I. At this time, the electric signal lamp, or bell I44 is energized to indicate to the machine attendant that the cylinder moving operation has started and that the imprinting of the required number of headings has been completed, so that he will watch the delivered products to ascertain when the new headings start, and will also reset the mechanism in the casing 56 by manipulation of the knob 86 for the desired number of the headings to be imprinted by the newly positioned face 26.

As the threaded shaft 38 rotates to move the cylinder 2!, the roller I22 is lifted from the cam notch I23, closing this switch H8, whereupon the solenoid I38 is energized. Energization of the solenoid I 38 closes the switch I4I to maintain the solenoid I3I energized and the motor 35 in operation, which motor operation will continue until the switch MI is again opened by the movement of the roller I22 into the notch 223, when the shaft 38 has completed one revolution, at which time the next succeeding printing face 26 on the cylinder 2I will be in printing position. During the period of motor operation to move the cylinder M, the signal light I44 is maintained energized and when this operation is completed indicates this condition to the attendant by becoming de-energized, due to the opening of the switch I29.

When it is desired to continue the operation of the motor 35 to move the cylinder 2I to dispose a face 26, other than the next succeeding one, in printing position, a push button switch I4! is actuated to maintain a circuit including conductors I48 and I49 across the switch H8, to continue energization of the solenoids I3I and I38. By means of the switch I41, any one of the faces 26 may be selected. After all of the heading faces 26 have been printed, the cylinder .ZI may be returned to its original position by reversing the motor 35. This is accomplished by opening the switch I25 and closing it in the down position. One of the down jaw clips of the switch I25 is connected by a conductor I5I to the line wire LI and the other is connected by a conductor I 52 to the line wire L2.

The closing of the switch in the down position energizes the motor 35 for operation in the reverse direction, and causes the cylinder 21 to move from right to left. It is obvious to one versed in the art that suitable limit switches may be used to prevent movement of the cylinder 2| beyond its working range in either direction, but in order to avoid complication they are not shown herein.

, The pointer 98, which constantly rotates counter-clockwise while the cylinders I9 and 2| are printing headings, reaches the zero point at'the same time the roller 15 reaches the cut-out 93th cause actuation of the arms 59 and 62 to close the switch 64 and start the axial movement of the cylinder 2|. The machine attendant, observing that the indicating lamp I44 is energized, watches for, and removes the few products delivered while the cylinder 2| is being moved and resets the pointer 98 to the number of products required to be imprinted by the next face 26, disposed in printing position. In the interim, the pointer 98 may have moved beyond the zero mark on the dial 95 and newly printed copies may have been delivered. Indicating marks I53 are provided beyond the zero mark, between it and the marks 91 indicating the maximum number, whereby the attendant may esti mate the number of imprinted products having been delivered, and when resetting the pointer 98 to the number desired, he may reset it short of the mark 91 indicating this number, in accordance with this estimate.

The operation of a printing machine having the imprinting mechanism of this invention incorporated therein includes, the forming of a plurality of annular printing faces 26 upon plates and mounting them on a form cylinder 2! and the provision of suitable cooperating annular impression pads 21 on the impression cylinder 19. The Web H is then threaded through the entire machine at slow speed by operation of the motor I IT. The pointer 98 is then set at the indicia mark 91 corresponding with the number of products to be imprinted by the face 26 with the heading first selected, and the motor H6 is started, whereby the magnetic clutch H will be energized to apply rotation to the shaft Hi8 and, through the gearing Hi3 and gear 99, to the shaft 19, the direction of rotation of the shaft 19 being counter-clockwise with reference to Figures 5 and 7.

Manual axial and rotative movement of the shaft H! from the zero mark to set the pointer 98 to count a desired number of products, rotates the cam 84 clockwise moving the arms 5i! and 13 from the position shown in full lines in Figure '7 to the dotted position, so that the cam 18 may engage the roller of the arm I3, and maintain the arm 52 in a positionwhere it can enga e the arm 59 to effect operation of the switch 64 when the pointer 98 is returned to the zero mark on the dial by completion of the printingv of the desired number of impressions. The movement of the pointer 98 to the zero mark also moves the roller l5 into position to drop into the cut-out 93, thereby permitting movement of the arm l3 to the full line position shown in Figure '7.

The cylinder moving motor is then started, as above described, to dispose another face 25 in printing position. By the use of the above described imprinting mechanism, the printing machine can be continuously operated at high speed while headings are being imprinted and during. the axial movement of the cylinder 2|. The change-over from one heading to another may be eifected without the slightest interruption of machine operation, and with but comparatively few copies or products being wasted, the number being much less than the number wasted when such a change-over requires stopping and starting of the machine with its attendant loss of time.

While there has been disclosed in this specification one form in which the invention may be embodied, it will be understood that it may be embodied in other specific forms Without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and it Will be further understood that each and every novel feature and combination present in or possessed by the mechanism herein disclosed forms a part of the invention included in this application.

What we claim is:

1. In a web printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a form cylinder carrying a plurality of forms axially spaced apart along its periphery, an impression cylinder having an impression surface adapted to cooperate with one of said forms, said cylinders being substantially of the same diameter, means to rotate said cylinders in unison and at substantially the same speed, means to axially move said form. cylinder with respect to the impression cylinder to bring the several forms selectively into engagement with the said impression surface, and means adjustable in accordance with the number of products to be printed by a selected form, to control the cylinder moving means.

2. In a web printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a form cylinder carrying a plurality of printing forms axially spaced apart along its periphery, an impression cylinder having an impression surface adapted to cooperate with any selected one of aid forms, said cylinders being substantially of the same diameter, means to rotate said cylinders in unison and at substan tially the same speed, power driven mechanism to axially move saidform cylinder relatively to said impression cylinder .to dispose a selected form into printing cooperation with said impression surface while the printing machine is in operation, and control means to time the action of said power driven mechanism.

3. In a web printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a form cylinder having a plurality of different printing forms axially spaced apart along its periphery, an impression cylinder having an impression surface arranged to cooperate with any selected one of said forms to print products, means to rotate said cylinders at substantially the same speed, power driven means to axially move said form cylinder relatively to the impression surface to dispose any printing form in printing cooperation therewith, and means to control the actuation of said cylinder moving means, said control means being operable to start the actuation of said cylinder moving means when a desired number of products have been printed by the previously selected form.

4. In a web printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a form cylinder having a plurality of different forms axially spaced apart along its periphery, an impression cylinder having an. impression surface to cooperate with any one of said forms to print products, means to rotate said cylinders at substantially the same speed, power driven means to axially move said form cylinder relatively to said impression cylinder to dispose any one of said forms in printing position with respect to said impression surface, and settable means to control the number of products printed by the selected form and to control the means for moving the form cylinde axially.

5. In a web printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a form cylinder having a plurality of different forms axially spaced apart along its periphery, an impression cylinder having an annular impression surface in cooperation with a first selected one of said forms to print products, means to rotate said cylinders at substantially the same speed, power driven mechanism to axially move said form cylinder to dispose another one of said forms in printing relation with said impression surface, and control means adjustable in accordance with the number of products to be printed, to control the actuation of the power driven cylinder moving mechanism.

6. In a web printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a form cylinder having a plurality of diiferent forms axially spaced apart along its periphery, an impression cylinder having an annular impression surface in cooperation with a first selected one of said forms to print products, means to rotate said cylinders at sub.- stantially the same speed, automatically-operated power driven mechanism to axially move said form cylinder to dispose another one of said forms in printing relation with said impression surface, and settable means to count the number of products being printed and to actuate said form cylinder moving mechanism to present another of its forms in printing position after a desired number of products have been printed by the first selected form.

7. In a web printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a form cylinder having a plurality of annular printing forms thereon, an impression cylinder having an annular impression surface adapted to cooperate with only one of said forms, means to rotate said cylinders at substantially the same speed, power driven mechanism to axially move said form cylinder relatively to the impression cylinder to selectively dispose one of the forms in printing relation with said impression surface, controlled power driving means for said mechanism, a starting control for said driving means, means to actuate said control when a desired number of forms has been printed, a stopping control for said driving means, and means to actuate said stopping control when the desired form is in printing position.

8. In a web printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a form cylinder having a plurality of annular printing forms thereon, an impression cylinder having an annular impression surface adapted to cooperate with only one of said forms, means to rotate said cylinders at substantially the same speed, power driven mechanism to axially move said form cylinder rela tively to the impression cylinder to selectively dispose one of the forms in printing relation with said impression surface, controlled power driving means for said mechanism, a starting control for said driving means, means adapted to be set to actuate said control means to start the mechanism when a desired number of forms have been printed, a mechanism stopping control for said driving means, and means to actuate said stopping control when the desired form is in printing position.

9. In a web printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a form cylinder having a plurality of annular printing forms thereon, an impression cylinder having an annular impression surface adapted to cooperate with only one of said forms, means to rotate said cylinders at substantially the same speed, power driven mechanism to axially move said form cylinder relatively to the impression cylinder to selectively dispose one of the forms in printing relation with said impression surface, controlled power driving means for said mechanism, a starting control for said driving means, means adapted to be set to actuate said control means to start the mechanism when a desired number of forms have been printed, and means actuated by said control means when said cylinder moving means is started to indicate when the mechanism is in operation.

10. In a web printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a form cylinder having a plurality of annular printing forms thereon, an impression cylinder having an annular impression surface adapted to cooperate with only one of said forms, means to rotate said cylinders at substantially the same speed, power driven mechanism to axially move said form cylinder relatively to the impression cylinder to selectively dispose one of the forms in printing relation with said impression surface, controlled power driving means for said mechanism, a starting control for said driving moans, means adapted to be set to actuate said control means to start the mechanism when a desired number of forms have been printed, means actuated by said control means when said cylinder moving means is started to indicate when the mechanism is in operation, a mechanism stopping control for said driving means, and means to actuate said stopping control when the next succeeding form is in printing position.

11. In a web printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a form cylinder having a plurality of different forms axially spaced apart along its periphery, an impression cylinder having an annular impression surface in cooperation with a first selected one of said forms to print products, means to rotate said cylinders at substantially the same speed, power driven mechanism to axially move said form cylinder in one direction to dispose said forms successively in printing relation with said impression surface, control means adjustable in accordance with the number of products to be printed, to control the actuation of the power driven cylinder moving mechanism, and means to move said form cylinder in the other direction toward its initial position.

12. In a web printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a form cylinder having a plurality of different forms axially spaced apart along its periphery, an impression cylinder having an annular impression surface in cooperation with a first selected one of said forms to print products, means to rotate said cylinders at substantially the same speed, power driven mechanism to axially move said form cylinder in one direction to dispose said forms successively in printing relation with said impression surface, settable means to count the number of products being printed and to actuate the form cylinder moving mechanism to present another of its forms in printing position after a desired number have been printed by the positioned form, and means to move said form cylinder in the other direction toward its initial position.

13. In a printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a first cylinder having an impression surface, a second cylinder having a plurality of axially spaced apart printing forms thereon, means to rotate said cylinders in unison and at substantially the same speed, means to move said second cylinder axially with respect to the first cylinder to dispose a selected one of said printing forms in printing position relatively to the impression surface on said first cylinder including an electric motor, start and stop controls for said motor, a start control actuating means adjustable in accordance with the number of imprints desired to be made and to actuate said start control to start the motor when such a number of imprints have been made, and a stop control actuating means to actuate said stop control to stop said motor when the selected printing form is in printing position.

14. In a printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a first cylinder having an impression surface, a second cylinder having a plurality of axially spaced apart printing forms thereon, means to rotate said cylinders in unison and at substantially the same speed, means to move said second cylinder axially with respect to the first cylinder to dispose a selected one of said printing forms in printing position relatively to the impression surface on said first cylinder including an electric motor, start and stop controls for said motor, a start control actuating means driven in synchronism with said cylinders and being adjustable in accordance with the number of imprints desired to be made and to actuate said start control to start the motor when such a number of imprints have been made, and a stop control actuating means driven by said motor to actuate said stop control to stop said motor when the selected printing form is in printing position.

15. In a printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a first cylinder having an impression surface, a second cylinder having a plurality of axially spaced apart printing forms thereon, means to rotate said cylinders in unison and at substantially the same speed, means to move said second cylinder axially with respect to the first cylinder to dispose a selected one of said printing forms in printing position relatively to the impression surface on said first cylinder including an electric motor, start and stop controls for said motor, a start control actuating means adjustable in accordance with the number of imprints desired to be made and to actuate said start control to start the motor when such a number of imprints have been made, a stop control actuating means to actuate said stop control to stop said motor when the selected printing form is in printing position, an electric motor for driving the machine, and means, actuated only when said machine motor is operated, to drive the starting control actuating means for said cylinder moving motor.

16. In a printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a first cylinder having an impression surface, a second cylinder having a plurality of axially spaced apart printing forms thereon, means to rotate said cylinders in unison and at substantially the same speed, means to move said second cylinder axially with respect to the first cylinder to dispose a selected one of said printing forms in printing position relatively to the impression surface on said first cylinder, including an electric motor, start and. stop controls for said motor, a start control actuating means adjustable in accordance with the number of imprints desired to be made and to actuate said start control to start the motor when such a number of imprints have been made, a stop control actuating means to actuate said stop control to stop said motor when the selected printing form is in printing position, and means to cause said motor to continue in operation after said stop control is in motor stopping position whereby any succeeding printing form may be selected.

17. In a web printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including a pair of cooperating cylinders, one of said cylinders having a plurality of different printing forms on its periphery and spaced apart lengthwise thereof, the other of said cylinders having a raised annular impression surface thereon for cooperation with any one of said printing forms, means to rotate said cylinders at substantially the same speed, and power driven mechanism timed by operation of the machine, to move the form cylinder axially to selectively position any one of said printing forms into cooperating relation with said impression surface.

18. In a web printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including a pair of cooperating cylinders, one of said cylinders having a plurality of different printing forms on its periphery and spaced apart lengthwise thereof, the other of said cylinders having a raised annular impression surface thereon for cooperation with any one of said printing forms, means to rotate said cylinders at substantially the same speed, power driven mechanism timed by operation of the machine, to move the form cylinder axially to selectively position any one of said printing forms into cooperating relation with said impression surface, said mechanism including a rotatable threaded rod, and a threaded member connected to the axially movable cylinder and cooperating with said threaded rod to be moved thereby as it is rotated.

19. In a printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a form cylinder having a plurality of different printing forms axially spaced apart along its periphery, an impression cylinder having an impression surface adapted to cooperate with any one of the said forms to print products, means to rotate the said cylinders at substantially the same peripheral speed, mechanism to axially move the form cylinder to dispose any one of the forms in printing cooperation with the impression surface, control means adjustable in accordance with the number of products to be printed to vary the time when the said cylinder moving mechanism is to operate, and means to automatically stop the operation of said cylinder moving mechanism after a printing form has been moved into printing position.

GILBERT H. HIGGINS. WALTER S. EDWARDS, 

